Portugal
Associacao de Futebol da Madeira
Divisao de Honra
Sunday 3rd November 2024
Kick Off 16.30 On Time!
Clube Desportivo 1st de Maio 3 C.F. Andorinha 2, attendance 147
35’ 1-0
41’ 2-0
54’ 2-1
60’ 3-1
87’ 3-2
@ Campo de Futebol do Caminho 1st de Maio
Rua Campo 1st de Maio
Sao Goncalo
9060-418 Funchal
Madeira
€3 Admission
No Programme.
Today was an opportunity to visit a ground in Divisao Honra (the top division) of the Madeira regional league. The ground of C.D. 1st de Maio is just over five miles east of Funchal centre and a twenty minute drive from our hotel, which was once again via Bolt and cost €13 outbound and an extra €2 back, due to ‘surge demand’. The ground is way up above the city. The sun was left down below, whilst the ground was shrouded in low cloud for the vast majority of the game, with blue sky finally appearing late in the second half. There is a small clubhouse outside the entrance, serving hot/cold drinks and various snack items. Tickets have to be purchased from a window to the right of the ground entrance and once inside, spectator viewing is limited to the near side and behind the left hand goal end. In one corner there is a section of open metal seating, whilst to the right of the entrance is a raised area, which was basically where fans were using the concrete steps to sit on. The dugouts are on the far side and the ground also has floodlights, which were switched on during the second half. Despite now having a synthetic pitch, the ground retains all it’s old character and it must have been quite a job levelling the pitch into the hillside when first built.
The match was 10th versus 9th (out of 12), with both sides having drawn one and lost one of their opening two games. There were plenty of chances early on, but it wasn’t until ten minutes before halftime that Maio broke the deadlock, finishing into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. Six minutes later they doubled their lead, breaking quickly after defending a corner and finishing with a curling shot into the far corner from just inside the box. Andorinha pulled it back to 2-1 nine minutes into the second half, when a deep cross from the right was guided back into the far corner with a cushioned volley. On the hour mark Maio restored their two goal lead, glancing a header into the far corner from a right wing cross and it looked like the game was safe. Andorinha made it interesting with a 30 yarder into the top corner with three minutes left, to make it 3-2 and the locals were not impressed when the board went up to show there would be seven minutes of stoppage time to be added, but they held on to take their first win of the season.
It was only an eight minute wait after the game before being picked up and back at the hotel barely twenty five minutes after the final whistle.
